“He energized the Democratic base, which was disillusioned after President Obama’s debate performance last week,” said Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan. “At the very worst for him, the debate was a draw.”

Appearing on stage alongside the incumbent Democrat for the first time, the Republican nominee appeared relaxed, in command of facts and persistently on the offensive during the 90-minute encounter at the University of Denver. Obama, who has not debated in four years, looked rusty and found himself responding to the policy agenda set by Romney. …